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Over the years, facial skin can lose volume, making the lips and skin look hollow and less full. Dermal fillers are synthetic materials that are injected into the face to smooth wrinkles or lift skin pockets caused by acne. Collagen and many newer generations of fillers have all received FDA approval for treatment of facial wrinkles.

When is a filler beneficial?

Fillers are used for lip plumping as well as the treatment of wrinkles and folds. Unlike major plastic surgery, dermal filling can be done in just a few minutes with almost no recovery time — patients can put on makeup and return to work immediately after their appointment. However, most fillers are temporary lasting from six months to over a year.

How is a filler performed?

Intermountain Medical Group plastic surgeons work with patients at their treatment appointment to determine which area(s) need treatment. The injection site will then be cleaned and the injections administered. Injections are mixed with lidocaine to help control discomfort.

It is recommended that you do not push on the injection sites immediately after treatment to avoid movement of the fillers.

Commonly used fillers are made up of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and calcium hydroxylapatite — naturally occurring substances in the human body —to treat these areas of the face:

Nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the outside corners of the mouth)

Marionette lines (the lines just below the corners of the lips)

Cheeks

Tear troughs (dark under-eye circles)

Fillers are commonly injected into the skin with a very fine needle for wrinkle correction, lip enhancement, smile lines, deep folds, shaping facial contours, and volume augmentation of the lips.

We also perform an incision-free procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to temporarily tighten the collagen in the skin, thereby filling out wrinkles and fine lines.

What results can I expect?

Results are visible immediately following filler treatments, and last several months to over a year. Using sunscreen regularly can help preserve the filler and protect against post-inflammatory pigment changes caused by the needle sticks from injections.

Side effects of lip injections, lip fillers, and other dermal fillers are rare and generally minor, but in some cases patients may experience mild redness, swelling, and bruising in the recently treated areas for several days.

Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 22 hospitals, 185 clinics, a Medical Group with some 1,400 employed physicians, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and in efficient healthcare delivery.